"Cultivate an ever-continuous power of observation.” -John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
Taught by St. Paul artist Jack Dant, the class will introduce students to the joys of Plein Air – or open air – painting. It will include classroom sessions to gain an understanding of the basic techniques of prismatic color mixing and brush handling in oils, and then incorporate painting sessions out of doors, where students have the opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge in front of nature.
Indoors, students will interpret landscape photos to create simple, Payne’s Grey underpainting statements to freeze light effects through drawing, perspective, and edge relationships. Once complete, color will be applied to their paintings to demonstrate how light shifts prismatically as it recedes into the background, creating atmospheric distance.
During outdoor sessions, the same techniques will be applied and perfected. Students will therefore gain an application for the value of a Payne’s Grey underpainting to simplify and capture a scene Careful observation, good drawing and confidence in painting will be emphasized.
Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures is designed to correlate with our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals program. Students may take the two classes together to learn complementary information, thereby accelerating their skill development considerably. However, it can be taken on its own, and there is no prerequisite.
Our Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures class features two complimentary programs to satisfy everyone’s creative needs.
Character Design and Development
"… It is my belief that the function of human anatomy, with an emphasis on its role in the process of emotion and intent, has been sorely neglected by young artist learning the practices of comics and sequential art." -Will Eisner (1917-2005)
The program centers around the figure, where anatomy, construction and movement are studied in conjunction with each other. Children and teens with a strong interest in Japanese animation (Anime), superheroes, comics and role-playing art are especially drawn to this class. For examples, we look to professional artists to set a standard of excellence. The accumulated knowledge of these fine anatomists, draftsmen and painters inspire our students to produce work of higher quality. In addition to figure construction, students learn about costume design, gesture, facial expression, inking and color techniques. After these skills are understood, they are encouraged to create their own Manga, Super Hero, and Fantasy Figure characters from local artists who excel in figure design.
Visual Storytelling through Comics and Graphic Novels
"The only way to learn how to write and draw is by writing and drawing… To persist requires a deep love of the work itself, and learning that lesson kept me from ever taking Calvin and Hobbes for granted when the strip took off years later…. To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed… and I think that you'll be happier for the trouble." -Bill Watterson (1958- )
This program is designed to teach students how to develop a visual concept through sequential art, which is the largest growth industry within the world of book publishing today. Students explore visual story telling techniques, including: story development, page layout, perspective, camera angles, dramatic lighting, lettering and advanced inking techniques. After these skills are learned, kids create their own comic or graphic novel pages, which are published each term in Bill Hauser’s and David Witt’s Art Academy fanzine, Sandwhich, which comprises their final project.
We are offering a general in-person class for ages 14-18 at various times each week. This wide-ranging class will allow students to continue their training in specific areas of interest as they receive instruction on a one-on-one project basis.
Choose one of these times when registering:
Wed 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thu 6:00pm-8:00pm Sat 10:00am-12:00pm
Sat 1:00pm-3:00pm Sat 3:30pm-5:30pm
All participants will be asked to follow safety guidelines for preventing the spread of this virus following the CDC, Minnesota, and St. Paul guidelines.
If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.
"I hope my work has inspired young artists. I have always tried to maintain my freedom as an artist and I feel it is one of the main reasons I have been successful." -Frank Frazetta (1928-2010)
The Fantasy Painting Class is designed to correlate with our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals and Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures programs. Students may take the three classes together to learn complimentary information, thereby accelerating their skill development considerably. However, it can be taken on its own, and there is no prerequisite.
This course provides students with a traditional step-by-step process to create Fantasy, Science Fiction, or other original work in pencil, ink and paint. The core focus is on developing the student’s rough, initial concept into a complete and finished work through the practical use of sketching, references, and incremental studies. Concepts of design, line quality, value and color harmonies will be stressed to ensure each student’s final products are both conceptually and aesthetically engaging.
Initially, students will select inspirational master works to copy and use to study traditional techniques. While developing these essential skills, students will be encouraged to maintain a sketchbook and create original ideas for narratives, subjects, character designs, and settings. With the aid of the instructor, students will then select their best concepts to develop further using anatomical studies, photographic reference and compositional exercises. Each student will explore methods to achieve their unique goals. Advanced students will culminate their learning experience in a finished, fully realized, original painting.
"The first merit of a picture is to be a feast for the eyes." -Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863)
Our Homeschool classes follow the progression of our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals program. Students begin with black and white drawing exercises in pencil and pen and ink. After basic skills are learned, children advance to color in watercolor and oil. All levels of study, from beginning to advanced students are accepted.
Throughout history, drawing has always been considered an artist's most prized possession. It is the foundation upon which all other aspects of art are formed. This is true whether an artist chooses to be expressive in a realistic or abstract style. That is why we give the craft of drawing special attention at The Art Academy.
Drawing in Pen and Ink
In our Homechool program, special emphasis is placed on teaching the fundamentals of drawing logically and simply. Our methods promote refined draftsmanship, which dramatically improves a student's drawing abilities. With continued practice children can then achieve higher levels of understanding and success.
Many of our initial drawing exercises are executed in pen and ink so students become familiar with the expressive qualities of line. This improves a student’s eye/hand coordination and focus.
Madeline Sorenson, Age 15 Pen and Ink
Students continue to advance their drawing skills when they move on to painting.
After students have demonstrated a basic understanding of drawing they begin painting in watercolor. While we emphasize line in drawing, painting is a medium devoted to the understanding of mass and color. Watercolor is a great medium to learn these concepts.
As with drawing, we approach the study of color in a systematic way. This helps prevent students from spending months or years mixing colors that interact on paper or canvas in an unpleasant, unintentional manner.
Alice Shea, Age 15 Watercolor
By following revered principles of color theory and color mixing, children create fresh, lively pictures the first time they paint without experiencing any undue frustration.
There is much to learn about painting; and watercolor methods easily translate to other forms of painting and color mediums. Students build upon these skills when they advance into oil painting.
By the time students are ready for oil painting they have thoroughly grasped the refined drawing, watercolor and design principles that will directly translate into the oil medium.
Often considered the most challenging form of painting, oils are introduced to students after they've developed a firm understanding of drawing and color mixing.
Our first objective is to pass safe studio methods on to students. We ensure a solvent-free environment where health and safety come first. After learning clean painting procedures students begin to advance their artistic vision by exploring the fascinating world of oil painting techniques.
At The Art Academy we teach several methods of oil painting. This approach allows students to receive a well-rounded education that promotes development of a personal aesthetic based upon time-honored principles of art history.
Indirect Painting and Glazing
Indirect Painting and Glazing are methods of working in oils that were commonly practiced from the fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries. They have proven to be extremely durable techniques. At The Art Academy we teach several variations of glazing and underpainting, including grisaille, verdaccio, bistre, local color underpainting and the mixed tempera-oil technique.
Direct Painting
Direct Painting is a method of working in oils popularized during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is the technique of nineteenth century Impressionism. One of the hallmarks of direct painting is color mixing through clear observation. It is an excellent way to improve a student's sensitivity to color.
We are offering a general in-person class for ages 14-18 at various times each week. This wide-ranging class will allow students to continue their training in specific areas of interest as they receive instruction on a one-on-one project basis.
Choose one of these times when registering:
Wed 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thu 6:00pm-8:00pm Sat 10:00am-12:00pm
Sat 1:00pm-3:00pm Sat 3:30pm-5:30pm
All participants will be asked to follow safety guidelines for preventing the spread of this virus following the CDC, Minnesota, and St. Paul guidelines. Guidelines have eased, but we still recommend wearing a mask within our building.
If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.
"In the impressionable years of youth it is the eye and the hand that should be exercised." -William Bouguereau (1825-1905)
Our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals class begins with black and white drawing exercises in pencil and pen and ink. After basic skills are learned, children advance to color in watercolor and oil.
Because our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals classes form the core of our children's program, what follows explains our goals for students more fully.
Drawing in Pen and Ink
Throughout history, drawing has always been considered an artist's most prized possession. It is the foundation upon which all other aspects of art are formed. This is true whether an artist chooses to be expressive in a realistic or abstract style. That is why we give the craft of drawing special attention at The Art Academy.
In our 14-18 Fundamentals course, special emphasis is placed on teaching the fundamentals of drawing logically and simply. Our methods promote sound draftsmanship, which dramatically improves a student's drawing abilities both in class and independently. With continued practice students can then achieve higher levels of understanding and success.
Many of our initial drawing exercises are executed in pen and ink so students become familiar with the expressive qualities of line, and aid in improving a student’s control and focus. Students continue to develop their drawing skills when they move on to painting.
After students have demonstrated a basic understanding of drawing they begin painting in watercolor. While we emphasize line in drawing, painting is a medium devoted to the understanding of mass and color. Watercolor is a great medium to learn these concepts.
As with drawing, we approach the study of color in a systematic way. This helps prevent students from spending months or years mixing colors that interact in an unpleasant, unintentional manner. By following revered principles of color theory and color mixing, children create fresh, lively pictures the first time they paint without experiencing any undue frustration.
There is much to learn about painting; watercolor methods easily translate to other forms of painting and color mediums. Students can build upon these skills when they advance into oil painting.
By the time our students are ready for oil painting they have thoroughly grasped the refined drawing, watercolor and design principles that will translate into the oil medium.
Often considered the most challenging form of painting, oils are introduced to students after they've developed a firm understanding of drawing and color mixing.
Our first objective is to pass safe studio methods on to students. We ensure a solvent-free environment where health and safety come first. After learning clean painting procedures students begin to advance their artistic vision by exploring the fascinating world of oil painting techniques.
At The Art Academy we teach several methods of oil painting. This approach allows students to receive a well-rounded education that promotes development of a personal aesthetic based upon time-honored principles of art history.
Indirect Painting and Glazing
Indirect Painting and Glazing are methods of working in oils that were commonly practiced from the fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries. They have proven to be extremely durable techniques. At The Art Academy we teach several variations of glazing and underpainting, including grisaille, verdaccio, bistre, local color underpainting and the mixed tempera-oil technique.
Direct Painting
Direct Painting is a method of working in oils popularized during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is the technique of nineteenth century Impressionism. One of the hallmarks of direct painting is color mixing through clear observation. It is an excellent way to improve a student's sensitivity to color.
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